Leonardo AW169

History

The AgustaWestland AW169 is a medium lift, serviceability product developed by Leonardo, Italy, designed for the 4.5 to 5 ton helicopter market. Versatility and performance are at the heart of the design, which has resulted in the genre gaining a relatively wide global distribution since its launch in 2015. On May 10, 2012, a prototype (eventually one of four completed for the program) flew for the first time. Helicopters first emerged from the drawing boards of AgustaWestland before the company went under the Finmeccanica brand.

Today (2018) it belongs to the parent tag Leonardo.

In the world market, the system competes with types such as Bell Model 429 GlobalRanger and Eurocopter EC145, and can be used for various tasks in different fields: security, energy, medical/ambulance, executive/VIP transport and similar. The AW169 project was proposed in Farnborough in 2010 and received financial support from European Union (EU) authorities in 2012.

The European Airspace Type Certificate was issued in July 2015 - albeit one year later than the scheduled certification date, and the US Airspace Type Certificate was issued in February 2016.

To expedite the AW169 program and facilitate long-term logistics and support, the helicopter borrows heavily from existing AW139 and AW189 designs (both entries are detailed elsewhere on this site).

The AW169 model showcases a sleek, aerodynamically refined design with a cockpit position and flat nose cone for excellent visibility. Glass in the nose section is nice to ensure optimal viewing for two operators seated side by side, and the "chin" position allows for camera "blister" bags, searchlights and other relevant mission equipment. The cockpit features a Rockwell Collins digitally assisted "glass" design with a user-friendly touchscreen interface that provides a high level of automation, system management and task flexibility. Behind the cockpit is the passenger/cargo area in its usual location. Access to the pilot is via automotive-style hinged doors, while access to the passenger cabin is via sliding doors.

The twin-engine power unit sits atop the cabin space and powers a 39.8-foot five-blade main rotor unit and a three-blade tail rotor unit (the latter facing the starboard side of the aircraft and powered by a shaft that passes through the tail boom) . The tricycle landing gear is wheeled and fully retractable, allowing the helicopter to maintain aerodynamic integrity at high speeds. The main leg is single-wheeled, and the nasal bone is two-wheeled.

Structural dimensions include 48 feet overall length, 39.8 feet width (including main rotor) and 14.8 feet height. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 10,600 lbs.

Internally, power is provided by 2 Pratt & Whitney PW210A turboshaft engines, each rated at 1,000 hp. Each unit supports FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) to control engine performance.

It has a top speed of 190 mph and a range of up to 510 miles (or a mission duration window of up to 4+ hours).

Along with two pilots, this helicopter can comfortably accommodate up to 10 passengers and up to 550 pounds of accompanying cargo. Two medical stretchers and five accompanying medical staff can be carried.

AW169 Currently (2018) consists of two main production brands, the base model AW169 and the militarized AW169M. The M model can be equipped for a variety of roles, including armed reconnaissance, surface patrol, and general transport.

The AW169 AAS was AgustaWestland's brief attempt in 2013 to sell helicopters to the US Army for its AAS (armed aerial reconnaissance) needs. The helicopter was not selected and the program ended without a winner by the end of 2013.

This helicopter has been used in various markets including civilians, military and government. Operators include Argentina (national police), Germany (passenger), Italy (police), New Zealand (ambulance), Norway (police and maritime support), Sweden (MEDEVAC), Taiwan (MEDEVAC), United Kingdom (MEDEVAC), and the United States (Medical Evacuation).

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes